FEVER PANEL PLUS

Fever Panel Plus

What it is

The Fever Panel Plus is an advanced diagnostic package designed to screen for multiple infectious diseases that commonly present with fever. It goes beyond the basic fever panels by including additional tests for a wider range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, along with supportive markers for overall health status.

Uses

This panel helps doctors quickly identify the underlying cause of acute or prolonged fever, particularly in regions where tropical infections are common. Depending on the laboratory, the Fever Panel Plus may include:

• Dengue NS1 Antigen / IgM / IgG: Early and late detection of dengue virus.
• Malaria Antigen or Peripheral Smear: Detects Plasmodium species responsible for malaria.
• Typhoid IgM / Widal Test: Screens for Salmonella typhi infection.
• Chikungunya IgM: Detects chikungunya viral infection.
• Leptospira IgM (in some labs): Screens for leptospirosis, another tropical infection.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates hemoglobin, WBC count, and platelets to assess infection severity.
• Liver & Kidney Function Tests: Monitors organ involvement in systemic infections.
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) or ESR: Indicates systemic inflammation or bacterial infection.

Symptoms That May Lead to the Test

This panel is recommended for patients with unexplained or persistent fever accompanied by chills, severe headache, rash, joint pain, body ache, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, or bleeding tendencies. It is especially useful when multiple infections circulate in the same region.

Abnormal Results

Positive Dengue / Malaria / Typhoid / Chikungunya / Leptospira: Confirms the infectious cause and guides targeted treatment.

Abnormal CBC: Low platelets (dengue), anemia (malaria), or high WBC counts (bacterial infections).

Abnormal Organ Function Tests: May indicate liver or kidney involvement due to systemic infection.

High CRP or ESR: Suggests strong inflammatory or infectious response.

Risks

The Fever Panel Plus requires a standard blood draw and sometimes urine samples. Risks are minimal and limited to mild discomfort, bruising, or dizziness at the puncture site. These side effects are temporary and uncommon.